Thank you for continuing to be a megaphone for honesty and the will of the people. Especially since we don't have one on the national level. So grateful for you.
The citizens of Bar Harbor who have fought ethically , lawfully, and morally to maintain some of a year round economy and village community for residents in the land of uber tourism known as Bar Harbor have won again in spite of the daunting environment so well described by Lin in her comments.
But in this now decades long series of battles against mega cruise ships, Lincoln Millstein came in to fill what was clearly needed to keep the battle going against the powerful and richtrifecta of Town government, Ocean Properties and their wannabe minions , and the Chamber.
Lincoln is the brilliant investigative reporter who has brought the voters of Bar Harbor fact based information and analysis so voters have the real story on which to make an informed vote. This is how our American democracy is supposed to work: information legally must be given to the public so we can make voting choices based on evidence , not what the powerful and rich want.
My personal opinion is that no matter how hard citizens worked to get Chapter 50 defeated to simply maintain the 1,000pax cap retained in the LUO in this recent election, this battle was so tough it was only won by adding inLincoln’s brilliant investigative reporting. And by my soaring accolades for Lincoln, I am not in any way diminishing the hard work of those citizens who have tirelessly fought the good fight, some for decades, to win what the majority of residents want. My deep gratitude to you all.
It seems to me that the Freedom of Information act implies that citizens have a statutory right to a fully detailed report of their elected representatives activities. While arguments have been advanced that the town has a right to recoup copy toner, paper supply, and secretarial expenses I see such fees as yet another roadblock to the free flow of public information. Surely a town that can afford to resupply its police force with expensive new rifles while at the same time "keeping the old rifles as spares" - rather than trading them in -can afford the few bucks Mr. Millstein's requests entail. Freedom of Information should mean just that and any and all charges for its supply should be borne by the town.
I hadn't but I have now. I suspect that when United States senators receive 500 page documents obtained through the FOI act with every single word redacted with black ink we shouldn't be surprised that local officials feel comfortable hiding behind "executive sessions" and charging fees for the production of public documents legitimately requested via FIA requests. Might be a good idea to concentrate on making them feel less comfortable about such things?
Thank you Mr. Millstein for your excellent journalism, your pursuit of the truth behind the machinations of the Bar Harbor Town Council.
What is clearly dividing the town is money-making versus small-town quality of life.
Too many town business investors view Bar Harbor simply as a money-making opportunity. They want the sidewalks jammed with cruise ship visitors to pop into their restaurants and shops, and they don't care to consider the views of the town residents who can't enjoy their town, won't leave their homes when the cruise ships arrive to double the town's population.
However, what is so bewildering is why do the town residents vote so many business owners to positions on the Town Council?
This iteration of the BH Town Council includes many councilors, including its head, from the previous similarly ethically challenged and Executive Session secrecy inclined iteration. Smith is Sutherland 2.0 and Wagner continues to rake in the billable hours. Individually, few of these individuals might see themselves in the image of Donald Trump, but their antics have a certain resonance.
Both one-time journalist Brechlin and newly minted state representative Friedmann have publicly promoted such extreme schemes for limiting public opinion and public participation in Bar Harbor government, that even the shameless Peacock and their somewhat squeamish colleagues balked - at least in public. The council's broad expansion of executive privilege, specifically repeat offender scurrying into Executive Session, is in conflict with their lip service to government transparency and may be in violation of Bar Harbor guidelines and Maine state law.
Despite QuietSide's inordinate fondness for the beetling Friedmann's occasional soundbite ready expressions of shock shock at what the council is up to, it's corruption all the way down with this crew.
Hey, Georgia officials may not have manufactured the votes Trump wanted in 2020. Trump's 2021 insurrection failed. But in 2024, the man who would be king prevailed in the Supreme Court and at the ballot box. Take heart councilors and kleptocrats, this may be the November of your discontent but it may yet be springtime for autocrats in Bar Harbor.
Thank you, as always, for this well organized and thorough summary. Along with a stroll down Memory Lane, it serves as a subtle reminder that the extraordinarily tolerant residents of Bar Harbor are perhaps not as easily fooled as sometimes hoped. Again, thanks.
Cannot thank you enough for your dogged and exhaustive coverage of these squirrelly shenanigans. Bravo, Lincoln! This sad world needs more folks like you.
Sam Hamill A strong admirer of your indispensable work. But though I am listed as a subscriber, I do not recall making a contribution for a long time, as I would like to. Please advise. Thanks, SH
Your amazing. I don’t know what we would do without you. Thanks Lincoln.
Thank you for continuing to be a megaphone for honesty and the will of the people. Especially since we don't have one on the national level. So grateful for you.
The citizens of Bar Harbor who have fought ethically , lawfully, and morally to maintain some of a year round economy and village community for residents in the land of uber tourism known as Bar Harbor have won again in spite of the daunting environment so well described by Lin in her comments.
But in this now decades long series of battles against mega cruise ships, Lincoln Millstein came in to fill what was clearly needed to keep the battle going against the powerful and richtrifecta of Town government, Ocean Properties and their wannabe minions , and the Chamber.
Lincoln is the brilliant investigative reporter who has brought the voters of Bar Harbor fact based information and analysis so voters have the real story on which to make an informed vote. This is how our American democracy is supposed to work: information legally must be given to the public so we can make voting choices based on evidence , not what the powerful and rich want.
My personal opinion is that no matter how hard citizens worked to get Chapter 50 defeated to simply maintain the 1,000pax cap retained in the LUO in this recent election, this battle was so tough it was only won by adding inLincoln’s brilliant investigative reporting. And by my soaring accolades for Lincoln, I am not in any way diminishing the hard work of those citizens who have tirelessly fought the good fight, some for decades, to win what the majority of residents want. My deep gratitude to you all.
ThankYou. Well deserved and well stated accolades for LM. And ThankYou for carrying forward your and AG's advocacy for MDI.
I hope someone independent is keeping watch as the Town performs the recount on the cruise ship vote which has been requested!
It seems to me that the Freedom of Information act implies that citizens have a statutory right to a fully detailed report of their elected representatives activities. While arguments have been advanced that the town has a right to recoup copy toner, paper supply, and secretarial expenses I see such fees as yet another roadblock to the free flow of public information. Surely a town that can afford to resupply its police force with expensive new rifles while at the same time "keeping the old rifles as spares" - rather than trading them in -can afford the few bucks Mr. Millstein's requests entail. Freedom of Information should mean just that and any and all charges for its supply should be borne by the town.
Did you see the 84k bill a student got from grand valley state for foia fees? People don’t like flashlights in their closets
I hadn't but I have now. I suspect that when United States senators receive 500 page documents obtained through the FOI act with every single word redacted with black ink we shouldn't be surprised that local officials feel comfortable hiding behind "executive sessions" and charging fees for the production of public documents legitimately requested via FIA requests. Might be a good idea to concentrate on making them feel less comfortable about such things?
Perhaps time for a new Town Council!
Thank you Mr. Millstein for your excellent journalism, your pursuit of the truth behind the machinations of the Bar Harbor Town Council.
What is clearly dividing the town is money-making versus small-town quality of life.
Too many town business investors view Bar Harbor simply as a money-making opportunity. They want the sidewalks jammed with cruise ship visitors to pop into their restaurants and shops, and they don't care to consider the views of the town residents who can't enjoy their town, won't leave their homes when the cruise ships arrive to double the town's population.
However, what is so bewildering is why do the town residents vote so many business owners to positions on the Town Council?
ThankYou Lincoln.
This iteration of the BH Town Council includes many councilors, including its head, from the previous similarly ethically challenged and Executive Session secrecy inclined iteration. Smith is Sutherland 2.0 and Wagner continues to rake in the billable hours. Individually, few of these individuals might see themselves in the image of Donald Trump, but their antics have a certain resonance.
Both one-time journalist Brechlin and newly minted state representative Friedmann have publicly promoted such extreme schemes for limiting public opinion and public participation in Bar Harbor government, that even the shameless Peacock and their somewhat squeamish colleagues balked - at least in public. The council's broad expansion of executive privilege, specifically repeat offender scurrying into Executive Session, is in conflict with their lip service to government transparency and may be in violation of Bar Harbor guidelines and Maine state law.
Despite QuietSide's inordinate fondness for the beetling Friedmann's occasional soundbite ready expressions of shock shock at what the council is up to, it's corruption all the way down with this crew.
Hey, Georgia officials may not have manufactured the votes Trump wanted in 2020. Trump's 2021 insurrection failed. But in 2024, the man who would be king prevailed in the Supreme Court and at the ballot box. Take heart councilors and kleptocrats, this may be the November of your discontent but it may yet be springtime for autocrats in Bar Harbor.
Thank you, as always, for this well organized and thorough summary. Along with a stroll down Memory Lane, it serves as a subtle reminder that the extraordinarily tolerant residents of Bar Harbor are perhaps not as easily fooled as sometimes hoped. Again, thanks.
Cannot thank you enough for your dogged and exhaustive coverage of these squirrelly shenanigans. Bravo, Lincoln! This sad world needs more folks like you.
The citizens of Bar Harbor will bear the costs of the recount, but recounts overturn the decision in a negligible number of elections.
https://apnews.com/article/election-recounts-winners-change-4d8a5000d49f48ee1361a1288cad3b99
Sam Hamill A strong admirer of your indispensable work. But though I am listed as a subscriber, I do not recall making a contribution for a long time, as I would like to. Please advise. Thanks, SH
Back to court we go.
Perhaps stop over and ask them?